There has been a question raised in developing a Drupal Camp in Portland as to whether speakers should have to pay to attend the event and it has been discussed here: http://groups.drupal.org/node/167784
Rather than looking at the individual case, I believe its an important question and one that should be discussed constructively but without targeting one particular event. Could people who have organised Drupal Camps give their reasons for making speakers pay, or not, here and perhaps then we could really provide those planning future events the background and information they require to make this decision.
Personally, having been involved in DrupalCon organisation recently I have seen the setup that speakers (apart from Keynotes), volunteers and practically everyone involved in the organisation of these events need to pay their fees to do so. I had no qualms about paying to go to DrupalCon and infact not attending any sessions in the end because I was volunteering throughout. I saw my contribution make a difference to the people there, and was able to network and meet people that I would never have had the chance to meet had I not both paid my fee, and volunteered my time.
At Drupal Camps the fees are much smaller so for me it makes perfect sense to expect all attendees, whether speakers or not, to pay the fee and keep the costs low for everyone. However I also think in some cases the budget may expand in order to allow those chosen to speak to have their costs covered. Therefore my feeling would be that if the money raised in sponsorship and ticket fees is being put to good use, why shouldn't speakers pay like everyone else. If the organisers have the luxury of not needing that income then they can decide to reimburse speakers.
It would be naive to think that one size fits all - but it would be very interesting to hear other people's opinion and feedback on this matter.
Comments
Let Freedom Ring
If Larry, Curly, and Moe are each organizing 3 separate camps then they can do as they wish at each camp.
Larry's camp is free. So no issue exists about charging or not charging speakers.
Curly's camp charges $10 just because they want an accurate registration count to prepare for room sizes and food quantities. Without the $10 fee they would have MANY registrations of ppl who don't show up and thus they purchase too much food OR maybe they change to the north wing of the building where the rooms are larger but only 67% of the registrants show up. Curly knows that this $10 per attendee fee will help keep the count accurate.
IN THE EVENT that a speaker might say, "heya, can u waive the $10? I'm using my frequent flyer miles and my Hilton rewards just to get down there and I'm worried about not eating while I'm there."
At this point Curly will likely say, "Heya! Thanks for presenting on Drupal & Libraries! Come on down buddy! It's on the house!"
Moe's camp has rented a sweet hotel and it's going to cost $35/attendee to make this thing float. If Billy-Bob asks for a free ride it will be up to Moe and the rest of the team to decide.
As for me? I have had camps offer me free admittance or simply just create my account and elevate me to REGISTERED. Some have provided hotels, and/or flights. In truth there is no mandate from the law or from the Drupal Community about any of this. Each camp is autonomous and does what is best for its camp.
Last word... If any one is really bent on getting to a camp to present and you need some good grace from the organizers along the way. Just ask. I've always made it a point to hit as many camps as I can. Back in the early days this wasn't as financially doable as it is today. My asking for help resulted in some fascinating responses. Some thought that I was asking them to break the law, others took the matter to their board, and some agreed very quickly.
It really is a camp by camp decision. I don't presume to impose any edict upon these autonomous organizations. These things will develop organically as most things do in Drupal.
:-)
My summarizing thoughts
I think it is appropriate for a local community to discuss their own events as well as have this discussion.
Should presenters pay to present? I don't think so. Can I make anyone do anything they don't want to: no.
Its simpler than anyone here is going to make it. Can an event be easily organized with the premise that speakers don't pay to present? Yes. Has it been done? Yes. So, why don't we ask how to make that happen when we create our events? If we simply asked, or valued the presenter enough to consider how they would be traveling and paying to come, and did them a service, it would make everyone feel better. In fact, there are also examples where entire events are free too! We should definitely consider that as an ideal to reach towards. And no, big corporate sponsorship is not the only way!
If it interests you, or makes sense to you, why someone who is sharing their talent and skill set with you should not have to pay, then you can simply ask the questions and get the answers. If you want to argue about it, line by line it, and debate it, then you can make it sound wrong.
In many open communities, we gift presenters for coming. We spend months before the event fundraising, making connections, and talking with people so we can do a give-away. Giving is the greatest gift of life. Because the presenters give, we give back to them. Not charging them to come is the least we can do.
Also, if anyone is interested, look at happened in the PNW Drupal Summit thread, you can see that this wasn't an easy and logical discussion. There are many vested interests and opinions in this topic, on a camp by camp basis, and we need to review specific examples as well as create a larger discussion. Additionally, some of what I shared was moderated out of the public eye's view without my notification. Is that the only way we can resolve things? http://groups.drupal.org/node/16778
I'd also like to say that I have joined the group and I'm happy to assist with any creative ideas regarding making events free for presenters, in fact I'll step up to do that across to board: use my contact form, and we can talk about how it can happen.
I think it would be weird if
I think it would be weird if 25-30% of the attendees had special privileges just because they spoke from a podium for a few minutes. That would kind of wreck the equal footing expect to find at a camp style get-together. For some conferences there is a clear hierarchy -- from "rock star" keynote speakers, down to A-list presenters, down to breakout-session-organizers, and finally down to the mere attendees. This stratification is appropriate in some cases but inappropriate in others. Personally, I really like the idea of a conference where everyone is treated equally, where the presenters are the attendees, and everyone is a volunteer or helper of some sort. I do not like the idea of a conference with special people who are only there to speak, and are unwilling to chip in to help pay for things like the conference space, the refreshments, etc..
Hey
If you find a conference where everyone is treated equally and everyone volunteers, send me a PM and I'll make sure to come.
*Update: I spent a few moments thinking about what you said, and you're right and I'm right. I think in an ideal world everyone should be equal and everyone helps, but some experience with event organizing has led me back to my original thought: pay presenters (edit again: or at the very least, make their admittance for the day they are presenting free, or even possibly reduced?). It is not unequal - if you've ever had a teacher, you wouldn't tell them "we're equal" because clearly you're both human beings, but they know something you don't, and its our responsibility to be humble and open about where we're at.
Sure, the seminar model is
Sure, the seminar model is fine too, sometimes -- I've paid to attend Lullabot training and in that case I certainly don't expect them to also pay, or for it to feel like one big party where "they" are there to learn from "us" too.
depends on your camp
It really depends on your situation I guess and what you want to reach. If you give more you'll make it more attractive for people that travel from further to attend, if you have too many high profile speakers sure charge them, but if you are not in that luxury position it's becoming a very crowded agenda out there...
Drupalcamp Romania gives companies that send international key-speakers a free sponsor slot, I'm sure that helps bringing in international speakers.
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